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Located in California’s San Joaquin Valley, Stockton is a frequent stop for families heading to nearby vacation destinations such as San Francisco, Yosemite National or Sacramento. Whether looking for some entertainment or are interested in getting active, Stockton offers a surprising number of entertaining activities for teenagers.

Spectator Sports

Stockton is home to minor league and college teams, making it an ideal place for teen sports fans who want an affordable night out with a chance to see the stars of tomorrow. Many of the teams play at facilities at the Weber Pont Events Center, a large sports complex near downtown. The Stockton Ports, the Class A affiliate of the Oakland Athletics, play minor league baseball at the Stockton Ballpark. The 10,000 seat Stockton Arena hosts the Stockton Heat minor league hockey team and various concerts throughout the year. Kids who love auto racing can also check out the Stockton 99 Speedway, which has both sprint car and stock car racing on its pavement track.

Participatory Sports

The Stockton Skate Park, which opened in 2000, is run by the city. It gives young skateboarders a free and safe venue to work on their tricks. The layout includes a moon, small bowl, half pipe, rails and street skating areas. The Pacific Avenue Bowl has state of the art bowling lanes, including a weekly “cosmic bowling” night with neon pins, black lit lanes and popular music. For those looking for something a little bit colder, the Oak Park Ice Arena has open skate sessions for kids who just want to hit the ice, along with skating lessons and hockey programs.

Outdoor Recreation

The Micke Grove Regional Park is a 258 acre complex with plenty of activities for teens. They can visit the Fun Town amusement park or cool off in the water play area. For those who like animals, it is also home to the Micke Grove Zoo, which features several endangered species on display including snow leopards and the cotton top tamarin.

Entertainment

Budding movie buffs can watch films at several locations in Stockton. The Bob Hope Theatre is a renovated movie theater from the 1930s. Today, the theater hosts classic movies along with performances by popular musicians and comedians. Teens who want a more modern movie going experience can check out the latest releases at the Stockton City Center, which has a 16 screen theater including an IMAX screen.

About the Author

Richard Manfredi has more than a decade of professional writing experience, both in the media and at a corporate level. Since 2003, he has worked in the public relations industry, creating and executing campaigns for technology and entertainment companies. Manfredi is also a journalist who has worked for the "Orange County Register," as well as several online publications.

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